Manitoba Native Returns as Emergency Physician to Brandon Health Centre

Dr. Arleigh Trainor, recently appointed as an emergency department physician at Brandon Regional Health Centre, is returning to her roots in Manitoba after being trained in the United States. Born and raised in the province, Trainor expressed her enthusiasm about coming back home to serve her community.

Currently based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Trainor revealed her decision was influenced by various factors, including the blend of academic and clinical opportunities that Brandon offers. “I’m very, very happy and excited,” she said in a recent interview. “I also interviewed in Winnipeg, but it was truly the mix of academics and clinical that drew me to Brandon.”

Career Path and Future Plans

Trainor’s anticipated start date at the health centre is set for early March 2026. In addition to her role at Brandon Regional Health, she has received an offer from the University of Manitoba to serve as assistant dean at its Max Rady College of Medicine satellite program in Brandon, which focuses on training third and fourth-year medical students.

“It’s not finalized, but I’ve been offered the position of the assistant dean, working under the associate dean at the satellite campus, and that’s how I ended up deciding on Brandon,” Trainor explained. This dual opportunity illustrates her commitment to both direct patient care and medical education in her home province.

Trainor is among 33 American-trained physicians currently being recruited by Prairie Mountain Health. According to Manitoba Health, five of these doctors have already begun their work in Winnipeg. The province has made changes to regulations governing the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, facilitating a smoother transition for U.S. doctors seeking full licensure.

Policy Changes and Community Impact

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara noted the significance of these changes, stating, “These regulations will enable those doctors who move to Manitoba to ‘hit the ground running.’” Asagwara shared a conversation with a recently relocated physician who expressed excitement about being able to treat patients without the burden of financial barriers affecting their care.

Trainor’s path back to Canada was solidified during her attendance at an international conference on emergency medicine in Montreal, Quebec. There, she learned about new policies aimed at attracting U.S. physicians to Manitoba. “They made it much easier to come across the border and practise medicine compared to 20 years ago. So I decided yep, I’m going to apply,” she recounted.

Born in Winnipeg and raised in Thompson, Trainor has a diverse educational background. She attended the University of Laval in Quebec and the University of North Dakota for her undergraduate studies in audiology before attending medical school in Minneapolis. Her professional experience includes over a decade in the emergency department at Sanford USD Medical Center and a leadership role as chief of the division of emergency medicine at the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine.

“Emergency medicine just suited me,” she noted. “It was a fit, as they say. I loved everything about it.” As Trainor prepares for her transition back to Manitoba, she has completed the necessary paperwork and is awaiting approval for her medical licence.

“It’s a new chapter for me, and I’m excited about that,” Trainor said. “It will be sad to leave friends, but when you have a good opportunity, you take it.” Her return is seen as a positive step for both the Brandon community and the broader health care landscape in Manitoba, highlighting the importance of attracting skilled professionals to rural areas.

Dr. Adrian Fung, chief medical officer of Prairie Mountain Health, expressed enthusiasm about Trainor’s arrival, attributing the success of recent recruitment efforts to collaborative work within the health region and the province. He emphasized the importance of showcasing Westman as an appealing place to live and work, suggesting that Trainor’s move could encourage more physicians to consider relocating.

As the health care system continues to evolve, the return of Dr. Trainor marks an important development in enhancing medical services in Brandon, benefiting the local community and reinforcing Manitoba’s commitment to attracting talent in the health sector.